Two sisters from the far north of Sweden are using a podcast to rediscover a heritage they felt they had lost. Kristin and Helena grew up in Kukkola, just outside Haparanda near the Finnish border. They attended a Finnish-language school, but they never fully learned Meänkieli, the unique Tornedalian Finnish dialect. They now describe themselves with the local term 'half-ummikkos,' meaning someone with partial knowledge of their own culture.
Their journey started during quiet, reflective nights. 'The idea came to me about three years ago,' Kristin shared. 'I was awake with my child at night and started thinking about my origin and why I know so little about my own history.' Helena added that despite growing up in the region, their world felt small. 'We didn't know much about places like Övertorneå, Pajala, and Kiruna. We wanted to learn more by interviewing people from there, so they could share their perspectives.'
Their podcast, now available on a major national radio platform, became that bridge. They interviewed a diverse range of guests from across Swedish Lapland. A particular dream came true when they sat down with the acclaimed Tornedalian author Rosa Liksom, known for her novel 'The River' about the Lapland War. 'We had a little dream of interviewing Rosa Liksom,' Kristin admitted. Despite initial nerves, the meeting was a profound connection. 'It became such a beautiful interview,' Helena said. 'It felt like she burns for Tornedalen just as much as we do.'
The eight episodes of their first season are now complete, and the duo is hopeful for a second season. 'We have season two ready,' Kristin laughed, before clarifying, 'Well, not ready, but we have many ideas about what we want to do next. We hope the podcast gets to continue.'
This story taps into a broader trend in Swedish society, where individuals, especially from minority communities, are actively reclaiming cultural identities. The Tornedalian people, with their distinct language and history, represent one of Sweden's five national minorities. Their cultural revival, often led by a new generation using modern tools like podcasts, counters decades of assimilation policies. For decades, speaking Meänkieli in schools was actively discouraged, leading to a cultural disconnect for many families.
Today, this podcast is more than just a personal project. It is a small but meaningful act of cultural preservation. It connects younger Swedes with the stories of the north, from the mining towns like Kiruna to the forest communities of Pajala. For international listeners, it offers a rare glimpse into a Sweden beyond Stockholm's trendy neighborhoods. It shows a nation still grappling with its regional diversity and historical complexities. The sisters' honest quest highlights a universal theme: the desire to understand where you come from, and the power of conversation to rebuild those bridges. Their work adds a vital, personal voice to the ongoing discussion about immigration, integration, and indigenous rights in modern Sweden, reminding us that identity is often a journey, not a fixed point.